PICKERING -- Norm MacLeod is as dedicated as they come, so when he was asked to attend the annual general meeting of the Ontario Amateur Softball Association, those extending the offer knew he would go.

That kind of dedication was used against him, but in a flattering way.

The longtime coach was named to the Gil Read Coaches Honour Roll, in recognition of outstanding achievement and dedication to coaching fastball in his community.

The award is engraved: He has positively influenced his athletes and others associated with his teams by fostering a passion for the game, encouraging sportsmanship, and creating a coaching environment rewarding skills development and competitive success.

A little embarrassed and humbled were the emotions he was feeling as the award was being presented.

"They surprised me there," he admits.

"When they started talking and in particular when Dave Northern (as executive member) said, 'We brought a guy here under false pretenses' I knew pretty quickly," says MacLeod, who, up until that point, had sat through other award presentations and typical AGM stuff.

"As I went up, a lot of the players I coach now, including a couple of players and parents that I coached in the past, walked in the door too. That might have been the best part of the whole thing."

MacLeod, a Pickering resident, has been coaching in the local softball association for 20 season, starting with his oldest son, Chris, and then returning to the fold when his youngest son, Steven, picked up the game. He began in the mite program with Chris and followed through the squirt, peewee, bantam, midget and junior levels, before recycling and beginning over again in squirt with Steven, who is 10 years younger than Chris.

He didn't intend to get involved initially, but was volunteered by another parent back in 1993.

"When my oldest, Chris, was eight, I went to a tryout with him and a parent I knew from hockey said, 'There's your coach.' The rest is history," he recalls.

Softball has been a part of MacLeod's life for more than 50 years, having played and coached, and he still grabs a glove and bat and plays to this day.

"I just love the game," he says of his passion for the sport. "When I was growing up it was either ball or hockey. I played both, but ball was my sport of choice and I have continued forever."

On the nomination form that was submitted for the award by Mark Fujita, Pickering Heat team manager, high praise is given to MacLeod.

"Norm's sportsmanship and respect for the game are unparalleled," it reads. "Opposition coaches, umpires, parents and players would attest to the class that he exhibits on and off the field.

"Norm has single-handedly kept boys' softball going in Pickering. Every year when it appears unlikely that Pickering will be able to field a team, he manages to recruit enough players to form a competitive team."